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Subject: Past Blast: the Marathon 2 Preview

Ach! Was ist los?

It's somehow been a year and a half since I last posted, and I see nothing has changed here since then. I find that fact simultaneously comforting and distressing, like the knowledge that for every troll I ever banned, seven more sprang forth. A year and a half is a long time, and I've almost started to forget how much I hate all of you. Especially you, Anonymous User (Deleted).

I'm not going to tell you about all the places I've been, or the things I've seen, or how I got my hands on a Bulgarian AK-74. Today I'm going to show you a fragment of this community's heritage, something you've probably never seen before even if you joined BNet the very day after Halo 2 came out.

The Marathon 2 Preview was released on a Power Computing promotional CD titled 'The DISC', which was given away to attendees of the 1995 Macworld Boston expo. It was effectively a late beta demo, with three mostly complete levels and no multiplayer support, and was quickly replaced by the official Marathon 2 demo. Thanks to Hamish Sinclair of the Marathon Story Page and the power of SheepShaver, this dinosaur can now be brought to you in vivid 256-color System 8.1 fidelity.

First, the app info.
http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/3746/m2p001.jpg

On launching the Preview, we get a special message from the sponsors. It's been almost sixteen years, so I'd say the statute of limitations is long expired.
http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/388/m2p002.jpg

The familiar title screen + rockin' theme tune.
http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/2828/m2p003.jpg

The main menu looks as expected.
http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/5623/m2p004.jpg

As mentioned above, there was no multiplayer support. Saving films is enabled, however.
http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/4407/m2p005.jpg

The credits screen.
http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/4892/m2p006.jpg

Preferences. Some of the high-quality graphics options appear to be disabled in the Preview.
http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/4366/m2p007.jpg

Playing with Powerbook key config for added nostalgia power.
http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/4013/m2p008.jpg

Waterloo Waterpark doesn't differ much from the final version.
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/596/m2p009.jpg

Powerups?
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/9794/m2p010.jpg

Durandal's greeting terminal.
http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/1025/m2p011.jpg
http://img848.imageshack.us/img848/586/m2p012.jpg

Marathon 1's terminal maps were live renders of the actual game map, which probably saved a lot of time in development. As you can see, the feature was broken in the Marathon 2 engine and Bungie replaced it with pre-rendered map images in the finished game.
http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/135/m2p013.jpg
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/357/m2p014.jpg
http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/7193/m2p015.jpg
http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/1281/m2p016.jpg

The 'third switch' for the secret area. We'll come back to it later.
http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/7119/m2p017.jpg

Punchin' drones and breakin' bones.
http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/6476/m2p018.jpg

Marathon 1 Fighters.
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/9908/m2p019.jpg

Marathon 1 ammo boxes.
http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/3388/m2p020.jpg

The BOBs talk, and have some lines that weren't used in the final game, but the Fighters don't vocalize at all.
http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/741/m2p021.jpg

The first chip and uplink.
http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/6452/m2p022.jpg

The assault rifle room...
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/7158/m2p023.jpg

...And the shadow room.
http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/6499/m2p024.jpg

The second chip and uplink.
http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/7461/m2p025.jpg

The Pfhor terminal. Unlike Durandal's terminals on this level, it has an image.
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/3591/m2p026.jpg

Back to that secret area. The player can't swim like in the release version.
http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/6372/m2p027.jpg
http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/7484/m2p028.jpg
http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/4616/m2p029.jpg
http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/536/m2p030.jpg
http://img807.imageshack.us/img807/6711/m2p031.jpg
http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/9591/m2p032.jpg

The map of the map. How many differences can you spot?
http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/5219/m2p033.jpg

Durandal's second terminal.
http://img862.imageshack.us/img862/9699/m2p034.jpg

The exit screen.
http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/8750/m2p035.jpg

As in the official demo, the second level is What About Bob?, only its name here is given as What! About! Bob!

Shades of a failed Yahoo! takeover, or something more sinister?

Durandal drops us into the midst of the enemy...
http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/2930/m2p036.jpg

...And chucks down some supplies as an afterthought. Note the Marathon 1 grenade packs.
http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/558/m2p037.jpg

One BOB hangs around to secure the upper decks. He's probably not Robert Blake, as we'll see later.
http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/5834/m2p038.jpg

Still no terminal graphics for Durandal...
http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/8496/m2p039.jpg

...But he is less sarcastic and more analytical re: those poor BOBs.
http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/482/m2p040.jpg

Because briefing in full before the operation is for armchair commandos.
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/2460/m2p041.jpg

DAKKA.
http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/3662/m2p042.jpg

There is a general and conspicuous absence of bones, barrels and other purely decorative sprites.
http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/8963/m2p043.jpg

MORE DAKKA.
http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/8698/m2p044.jpg

Recon Number 54 logs in for further instructions.
http://img864.imageshack.us/img864/7242/m2p045u.jpg

Durandal is again less sarcastic and more informative than in the final game.
http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/6594/m2p046.jpg
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/203/m2p047.jpg

His warning about eradicating the remaining Pfhor is a bit redundant, because they all came to visit while I was reading his instructions.
http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/8564/m2p048.jpg

POMF.
http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/7765/m2p049.jpg

Ready... Steady...
http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/4084/m2p050.jpg

Better check the map before I bug out.
http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/2812/m2p051.jpg

One thrilling escape later, Durandal sends more ammo... Including a pair of dry-cell batteries bundled in gaffer tape?
http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/9379/m2p052.jpg

...Oooooh. Note that the final map's secret area, accessed by diving into the lava below, is not present - probably because #54 can't swim in the Preview.
http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/6391/m2p053.jpg

"I think I saw one!"
http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/5152/m2p054.jpg

"My fault!"
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/1741/m2p055.jpg

There are several BOBs who don't teleport out when the area is clear. No word on Blake taking personal command.
http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/6669/m2p056.jpg

Last terminal.
http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/5920/m2p057.jpg

Maps of the map.
http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/4489/m2p058.jpg
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/8141/m2p059.jpg

A terse and uninformative exit terminal.
http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/9261/m2p060.jpg

If we go back to the first terminal, we now get this message in which Durandal doesn't explain how he has been in contact with Tycho. This terminal also takes the player to the next level.
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/8822/m2p061.jpg

Stay tuned for the third level, Base Destruction... better known as Eat It, Vid Boi!

  • 05.19.2011 11:03 PM PDT

i c u thar c' ing my signiture

Yours in _Kai_

This game was SO much fun, not to mention it was really long. There really needs to be a remake of the marathon series. Thread saved.

[Edited on 05.19.2011 11:35 PM PDT]

  • 05.19.2011 11:33 PM PDT

Thanks for the informative and entertaining tour through one of the lesser known corners of the Marathon Universe. Welcome back to b.net. It's been a while. We still play Marathon netgames if you are ever in need of some carnage.

  • 05.20.2011 4:09 AM PDT

"That's about all that can be said for plots, which anyway are just one thing after another, a what and a what and a what.

Now try how and why."

I'll be honest, I think I actually did see this before.

It's familiar to me, as if from an old dream...

BTW, it's a pleasant surprise to see you posting.

[Edited on 05.20.2011 4:46 AM PDT]

  • 05.20.2011 4:43 AM PDT

Posted by: AquaBlader
Soon to be breaking news:


US Coast Guard prepares for massive rescue mission after Iranian fleet sinks off shore. Reports say a small thunderstorm caused most of the ships to simply...fall apart.

Mythic members everywhere. I feel so out of place.

I've only played the first Marathon, but most of this does seem interesting. It's always nice to see threads with previews and other pre-release stuff.

[Edited on 05.20.2011 4:58 AM PDT]

  • 05.20.2011 4:56 AM PDT

Gamers Anon

Achronos: And what's this about a "design team" I've been hearing? Apparently stosh is so awesome he's now considered a "team".

Good to see you back Bob.

Not having played Marathon back in its hay-day I found this quite interesting.

And please do tell us about that AK.

  • 05.20.2011 5:28 AM PDT

Love that openin' theme song!

  • 05.20.2011 6:58 AM PDT
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  • Exalted Mythic Member
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The End

‘The conscious is cancerous if allowed to linger’

"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there."

I was just going to post "old" for sake of a cheap laugh, but instead I'll admit that you've successfully made me feel like a noob.

  • 05.20.2011 3:18 PM PDT

"A LIE is a LIE"


- Truly intelligent and deep Black ops trailer

Man, a year and a half? shocking stuff

  • 05.20.2011 3:21 PM PDT

Posted by: arch4ng13
There really needs to be a remake of the marathon series.


No. Stop saying this.

  • 05.20.2011 3:38 PM PDT
  • gamertag: Potomo
  • user homepage:

Boomer.
Best. Ship. Ever!

I've always preferred Infinity though that's probably because it was the first Marathon game I played. Hard to believe how long ago that was...

Anyway thanks for all this. Interesting.

  • 05.20.2011 3:53 PM PDT


Posted by: homocidalham
I'll be honest, I think I actually did see this before.

It's familiar to me, as if from an old dream...

BTW, it's a pleasant surprise to see you posting.
If you saw it before, it was probably in the Marathon Story Page news for May 2011 or Bob's posts in the Marathon Story Page forums.

  • 05.20.2011 4:13 PM PDT

"That's about all that can be said for plots, which anyway are just one thing after another, a what and a what and a what.

Now try how and why."


Posted by: Sardonic13

Posted by: homocidalham
I'll be honest, I think I actually did see this before.

It's familiar to me, as if from an old dream...

BTW, it's a pleasant surprise to see you posting.
If you saw it before, it was probably in the Marathon Story Page news for May 2011 or Bob's posts in the Marathon Story Page forums.


No, I mean years ago. I remember having a CD with what seemed like the demo of Marathon 2, but it's multiplayer wasn't enabled and it had a few oddities such as missing terminal pictures. I just hadn't thought of it until now. Either way, this is still an interesting find, as I wouldn't have made note of it had BoBBQ not brought it to my attention.

  • 05.20.2011 4:49 PM PDT

Intolerance is the highest level of stupidity and inbred thinking.

MI: 5213901 UI: 5244621

I gotta admit, that was really cool BoBBQ. I look forward to looking through the next one. And man, I feel like such a youngin right now.

  • 05.20.2011 5:15 PM PDT

Ach! Was ist los?

Posted by: Tom T
I was just going to post "old" for sake of a cheap laugh, but instead I'll admit that you've successfully made me feel like a noob.

Be thankful I didn't come back emo. I would cut myself and bleed acid on you and you would die horribly like Mark Rolston in Aliens.

Which would be cool, except for the cutting part.

Posted by: homocidalham
No, I mean years ago. I remember having a CD with what seemed like the demo of Marathon 2, but it's multiplayer wasn't enabled and it had a few oddities such as missing terminal pictures. I just hadn't thought of it until now. Either way, this is still an interesting find, as I wouldn't have made note of it had BoBBQ not brought it to my attention.

An original The DISC spotted in the wild? Inquiring minds would like to know more.

Right, time for something decent and vidmaster-y... Some precision BaseDestruction!
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/1129/m2p062.jpg

Welcoming committee made unwelcome.
http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/6268/m2p063.jpg

I don't remember that charger being yellow...
http://img852.imageshack.us/img852/5415/m2p064.jpg
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/2149/m2p065.jpg

Durandal has a lot more intel on the citadel than he does in the final game. Some of this information was subsequently moved to The Hard Stuff Rules.
http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/3418/m2p066.jpg
http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/1079/m2p067.jpg
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/1559/m2p068.jpg

The hidden rooms with ammo and a yellow charger are missing in this version.
http://img863.imageshack.us/img863/5605/m2p069.jpg

COME AT ME, BROTHERS.
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/699/m2p070.jpg

I wonder if there's anything good down there...
http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/6247/m2p071.jpg

YES.
http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/5433/m2p072.jpg

This is a map about flippin' switches...
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/5241/m2p073.jpg
http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/5744/m2p074.jpg

Pop-pop-pop, watchin' three-eyed space bugs drop.
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/2614/m2p075.jpg

...And readin' terminals.
http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/2061/m2p076.jpg
http://img802.imageshack.us/img802/719/m2p077.jpg

"Poot..!" Splat!
http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/8057/m2p078.jpg

"'Nades here!"
http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/1583/m2p079.jpg

"Better kill everything I can!"
http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/1737/m2p080.jpg

"Grabbin' 'nades!"
http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/7447/m2p081.jpg

The imminent arrival of the tfearsome Tfear was something Bungie didn't want spoiled before the game shipped.
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/6346/m2p082.jpg

So was the revamped fusion pistol. D:
http://img860.imageshack.us/img860/8148/m2p083.jpg
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/8052/m2p084.jpg

Switches done flipped, lava done drained.
http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/3136/m2p085.jpg

I still don't get the level name.
http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/766/m2p086.jpg

Home stretch. Shockingly, Durandal didn't threaten to teleport me into space when I sat around playing with the first terminal.
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/6814/m2p087.jpg

Get in line, maggots!
http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/3932/m2p088.jpg

Get me outta here!
http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/7101/m2p089.jpg

Again, no spoilers on the bigger plot.
http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/6854/m2p090.jpg

A winner is I!
http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/8272/m2p091.jpg

That concludes the Marathon 2 Preview.

I've still got the Marathon alphas from the Trilogy release kicking around, so maybe I'll do some coverage on those if complete strangers stop swamping my inbox with functionally illiterate group invites and demands that I personally intercede with Bungie on their behalf.

  • 05.20.2011 6:55 PM PDT

Gamers Anon

Achronos: And what's this about a "design team" I've been hearing? Apparently stosh is so awesome he's now considered a "team".

They say pictures speak a thousand words, well you sir just spoke over 30,000 words in one post. That was quite insightful and makes me want Marathon even more now.

  • 05.21.2011 12:43 AM PDT

"Concise and devoid of elegance...what I have come to expect from human communication"-Endless Summer

Marathon 2 Durandal FTW

  • 05.21.2011 2:13 AM PDT

Exact science, is not an exact science.

It would be very cool indeed if this is the direction Bungie takes in the future, fully realised HD Marathon would be "All Win" yep I said it out loud!! LOL

  • 05.21.2011 4:10 AM PDT
  • gamertag: Potomo
  • user homepage:

Boomer.
Best. Ship. Ever!

Posted by: SHOMENUCHI
It would be very cool indeed if this is the direction Bungie takes in the future, fully realised HD Marathon would be "All Win" yep I said it out loud!! LOL

I don't know. I kind of like the old sprites, though I have to admit playing Durandal on XBLA was a great time.

I assume though you're talking about a Marathon with modern day graphics. Not to sure about that to be honest.

  • 05.21.2011 12:11 PM PDT

Ach! Was ist los?

Last minute addendum:

As Dr. John Sumner pointed out over on the Story Page forum, the secondary messages for the Durandal and S'pht terminals - the ones you see after completing the level objectives in the final game - are for some reason not displayed in the Preview until after you've killed all the Pfhor in the exit terminal room.

This sort of makes sense for Durandal's terminal, since there's no reason you should be doddering around back here...
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/5300/m2p092.jpg

...But you would miss the S'pht terminal entirely unless you're obsessive enough to backtrack all the way to it right before you leave the level.
http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/4306/m2p093.jpg
http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/2185/m2p094.jpg

  • 05.21.2011 4:51 PM PDT

Wow, that's pretty cool. Thanks for all that.

  • 05.21.2011 6:22 PM PDT

"That's about all that can be said for plots, which anyway are just one thing after another, a what and a what and a what.

Now try how and why."


Posted by: BobBQ
Posted by: homocidalham
No, I mean years ago. I remember having a CD with what seemed like the demo of Marathon 2, but it's multiplayer wasn't enabled and it had a few oddities such as missing terminal pictures. I just hadn't thought of it until now. Either way, this is still an interesting find, as I wouldn't have made note of it had BoBBQ not brought it to my attention.

An original The DISC spotted in the wild? Inquiring minds would like to know more.


Inquiring minds should have asked thirteen or so years ago. I can hardly remember what I ate this morning.

That was back when my mother didn't want me playing Marathon, so she hid the disc. In the month or so before I finally found it again, I got my "fix" from a disc that was stashed away in a cardboard box. My father was big into macs and such, but other than that I have no idea where it came from. I was busy trying to play myth without parental authorities figuring out, so it wasn't all that important at the time. In any case, I liked this post because it reminded me of that time.

  • 05.22.2011 7:49 AM PDT

What a waste....

How did you get your hands on a bulgarian automatic Kalashnikov 1974?

[Edited on 05.22.2011 8:12 AM PDT]

  • 05.22.2011 8:11 AM PDT

Ach! Was ist los?

Posted by: Sigma617
I miss the ancient times of Marathon and the seven of mine.

Surely, they are gone into the fires of history.

Well played.

Addendum to the addendum: Dr. Sumner took a look under the hood and determined that the criteria for getting the secondary messages is not killing the last Pfhor, but exploring the room they're in. In the final game, the task on Eat It, Vid Boi! is completed by flipping a certain switch, but in the Preview it is for some reason an exploration mission.

Posted by: Nocbl2
How did you get your hands on a bulgarian automatic Kalashnikov 1974?

Bought it by mail order. It came in a large box marked 'Some assembly required.'

Stay tuned for more fun things.

  • 05.22.2011 1:09 PM PDT

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